Howell blog: CU Buffs' Lindsay making good impression

Colorado's Phillip Lindsay breaks out during a running drill before the scrimmage on Aug. 17. (Cliff Grassmick/Daily Camera)

With a crowded backfield led by Christian Powell, Colorado might have a hard time spreading the ball around to many running backs this season.

One young player who has been very impressive during training camp this month, however, is Phillip Lindsay. The 5-foot-8, 165-pound true freshman from Denver South High School is already earning respect for the way he runs the ball and plays the game.

"He's a fireball, man, and he plays with a chip on his shoulder, almost like some of the walk-on kids that really are trying to prove themselves," CU running backs coach Klayton Adams said. "He plays with a fire in his eye and you've got to love it."

Lindsay is the first Denver South player on the CU roster since 1983. He tore his left ACL early in his senior season, and missed the bulk of the year. But, he was a dynamic play-maker for the Rebels before that.

So far, he's been flashing those skills when given the opportunity to carry the ball.

"I would call him a bundle of energy," CU head coach Mike MacIntyre said. "I really like Phillip. He's doing really well. It doesn't look like there are any repercussions from his knee injury and I've been very, very pleased with Phillip."

Adams has been impressed with Lindsay's hard-nosed style of running.

"He runs bigger than you probably think," Adams said. "When you watch his high school film you think he's really quick and fast and then he gets out here in pads and you go, 'Whoa, the dude is pretty physical, too.

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Because the Buffs do have so many options at tailback, with Powell, Tony Jones, Josh Ford, Donta Abron and others, Adams isn't quite sure if Lindsay will play or redshirt this season.

"It's probably a little bit too early to tell," Adams said. "I think he's definitely got the ability to; we've just got to watch his knee and see where that's at. It hasn't been a problem at all, but we've just got to watch his knee and see where that's going to be at and see how strong it is.

"You can always use a guy that plays with his hair on fire like that on special teams and if he's doing that you can always find places to use him offensively, too."

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